Apple’s iTunes continues to be the largest music retailer in the United States. But when you’re on top, everyone wants to take you down — this is especially true in the cutthroat world of the music industry. ITunes finds itself under attack from all sides. Amazon.com’s MP3 store is beginning to gain ground and market share, though it continues to lag way behind iTunes overall in music downloads. Amazon’s big advantage is that they sell only “unprotected” MP3s, which used no digital rights management technology.
Amazon also encodes their MP3s at 320 kB per second, and these larger files provide the highest sound quality available from the MP3 format. But Amazon is not the only big name out there hungry for a slice of Apple’s pie: Rhapsody has just announced they will begin selling unprotected MP3’s through their music subscription service. Single tracks will be priced at $.99, and full albums at $9.99.
To jumpstart Rhapsody’s new no-DRM policy, the company is giving away a free album to new users who sign up for a Rhapsody account before July 4. The promotion is designed to draw attention to Rhapsody’s large and growing library of tunes. Additionally, Rhapsody is offering full track previews before purchasing. This gives them a great advantage over Amazon, which offers only 30 seconds previews of full tracks.
Amazon, however, does continue to have a price advantage, offering many tracks for $.89 cents and some full albums for $8.99. Amazon also offers daily deals, which can save users as much as 50% on a wide variety of music.
But with Rhapsody and Amazon offering unprotected MP3 downloads, the pressure is mounting on Apple to remove the digital rights management from their tracks and sell regular MP3s, which can be used on a wide variety of portable devices. Up until now, Apple’s iTunes has used a proprietary music format which is not compatible with many competing MP3 players.
While this “protectionist” policy has helped make iTunes successful, if Apple is not careful how they proceed forward, it could also be their undoing. With big industry players like Amazon and Rhapsody offering standard DRM-free MP3s (often at cheaper prices), experts predict iTunes will have to struggle to remain on top.
Of course, Apple could make things a lot easier for iTunes, simply by switching over to standard MP3s, and ditching the digital rights management cripple-ware. So far Apple has been reluctant to do this, but things can change quickly in the world of digital media
Whether they like it or not, iTunes will eventually need to change their policy. Because even if they can hold on to the title of number-one music retailer in the US, they’re still going to be hemorrhaging market share (and money) to Amazon and Rhapsody as long as they continue to use DRM protected music files.
Although Apple’s iPhone has been one of the biggest high-tech success stories of the past year, power users and critics have had big problems with the phone’s relatively slow Internet bandwidth since its launch just over four months ago. Now, Apple representatives say they are planning to release a new version of the iPhone, featuring faster download speeds and taking advantage of 3G mobile networks.
The iPhone was widely criticized upon its launch for not using 3G, which is the fastest available mobile Internet network. Instead, the original iPhones were designed to run on the much slower 2.5G networks, frustrating many Apple fans and business users.
In a way, it’s puzzling why Apple didn’t design the iPhone to use the 3G networks from the start. After all, they elected to use AT&T as their network provider for the phone, and AT&T currently has the most widely available 3G network in the United States.
Even more puzzlingly, the iPhone was paired with 3G network providers in Europe from the start, resulting in a huge “speed gap” between iPhones bought in the United States and those purchased in Europe.
Although Apple has not set an exact release date for the new 3G version of the iPhone, the company’s network partner, AT&T, has verified that the new faster iPhone will be available sometime “next year,” according to the MSNBC web site.
The announcement of a new faster iPhone on the way comes at a bad time for Apple. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, some experts predict that consumers who were considering purchasing an iPhone this holiday season may hold off, waiting for the new 3G version next year. This could result in a huge stockpile of unsold iPhones simply taking up shelf space through the Christmas season.
Earlier this year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs had indicated that a battery life problem prevented the iPhone from using 3G networks for higher-speed Internet access. Apparently though, Apple has either solved the battery issue, or will do so before the 3G iPhone is released.
Many Apple fans are overjoyed at the prospect of a new faster iPhone, and the ability to surf the Web at near-DSL speeds, even if they are nowhere near an available WiFi network. If Apple can produce the new 3G iPhone within the first few months of 2008, they are sure to have a winner on their hands.
However, if they should drag their heels on releasing the new model, it is likely that other cell phone manufacturers will jump in to fill the void. If this happens, the new 3G iPhone could find that it has some serious competition to deal with.
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As we all know, our beloved Apple doesn’t allow any software installations to be done on their iPhones. If you have succeeded cracking their firmware and was able to run native programs, you’re in for a cat and mouse run competition with Apple as they will continue to disable iPhones that don’t go with their specifications. It’s true that there are rumors that they finally might allow it, but for now all you can have are web based applications that usually run on AJAX. Lately, Apple has released a list of the programs that you can run easily and securely on their Safari Browser. Here are some applications that stood out from their list.
1. Facebook – Ah, the good not-so-old Facebook. The website is finally compatible with Safari, particularly in mobile applications for iPhone. For now, you can check the latest message from your friends and check and upload photos. It may not be as complete as your web-based program; Facebook is still a great addition for your iPhone. The mobile based site was just launched a few days ago so be patient with them for now.
2. Bejeweled – This great game is once again back but not in your computer. Sure you’re already tired of playing bejeweled in your computer but if you transfer the game to your iPhone or iPod Touch, it’s magic. The program is free so you don’t have to pay for anything – except for your internet connection with your iPhone.
3. Digg – I think it’s the fact that iPhone has reached a million users in less than a year, and has encouraged websites to create a mobile version of their services. Digg is definitely one of them. You can navigate through Digg easier since it was recreated to fit in the iPhone, it can literally be scrolled to your favorite links. While you’re browsing, you can even create another Digg link that can be shared instantly.
4. ESPN Podcenter – In case you can’t get enough of Sports Caster’s brag about the things that they know, this website is just for you. You’ll gain access to a series of podcasts. It’s a great way to remove yourself from boredom especially when you’re stuck in some place. You don’t even have to worry about downloading the programs as these programs are streamed directly to your iPhone.
5. reQall – This one is for people who need more than a simple notepad to remember things. The website works perfectly with web browsers and has created a new version for iPhone. All you need to do is to call their toll free number (1-888-9REQALL) and say the things that you want to remember and visit their website to see what notes you have to remember. Now the only thing you have to remember is to log in to their site and to check on your reminders.
Runner-ups: TextOnPhone (access to more than 20,000 ebooks), TypePad (iPhone Version of Social Network Site) and iTravel (book your travel plans right in your iPhone).
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Americans often have the idea that they are on the forefront of technology in the world, and that other nations are somehow “behind the curve” on the latest technological developments. While this may be true in some areas, in the wireless world, it is in fact completely backwards.
Both the Asian and European markets tend to get new wireless technology long before it reaches American shores. Nokia is a good example of this; the company routinely releases cutting edge models in Asia and northern Europe six months or more before they make it to the US Market.
But when it comes to the Apple iPhone, it appears America may have one-upped the rest of the world — at least for once. The iPhone was released a full four months ago to a staggering amount of hype and advertising excess in the US. But Apple’s breakthrough cell phone is only now being released in Europe. What gives?
On November 19, the iPhone will debut in both the United Kingdom and Germany. Later in the month, France and Scandinavia will be introduced to the iPhone, and the rest of Europe in the weeks to follow.
For the iPhone’s initial release in the UK, sales are expected to be brisk. Likewise, Apple’s German headquarters has received a record number of inquiries about the release of the iPhone, and is expecting sales to be strong throughout Germany. In fact one German Apple representative has publicly wondered if they’ll actually have enough units in stock to meet the demand. I suppose they’ll find out on the 19th.
The funny thing is, the Europeans are getting a taste of the “wait for it” technology lag that the United States normally has to deal with. And in fact this delay in receiving the iPhone is likely one of the reasons why sales are expected to be so robust. Everyone wants what they cannot have.
In America, the price of the iPhone fell nearly $200 just a few weeks after its initial release, but in Europe the expected retail price will be roughly the same as the initial American launch. But the Europeans are actually getting a far better deal than many Americans got on the iPhone’s initial release. Time has gone by, and Apple has had a chance to iron out many of the creases, and address connectivity and other problems with the iPhone.
So it may turn out that in iPhone is not an always an iPhone. In other words, the European iPhones are likely to have less operating system troubles, while using faster network carriers than their American counterparts.
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Apple’s iPhone literally paved the way to more innovative products that are related to the world of mobile communications. Its interface of touch screen panel became the craze of millions and reached in selling a million items in less than a year after it was introduced.
But as much as iPhone gives out an elegant look, it has a definite ugly side. All iPhones purchased are locked for two years with AT&T. Not that AT&T is bad but monopoly of iPhone makes everyone think twice before purchasing this nifty phone. And there are now reports of using really, really small fonts to charge you with thousands of dollars. I’m talking about the terms and conditions that no one seems to read. This was used by AT&T to literally charge thousands of dollars to users who unwittingly used their phone for a good use. Worst, there was even a family that was charged with more than $3,000 even when the phone was switched off for a month – all because they are in another country and iPhones charge an exorbitant per minute rate.
That’s why hackers of iPhone are scrambling to unlock the mobile phone to make it available to other networks. Within days of the first release of the iPhone, someone already claimed that they have unlocked the phone. They even showed it in YouTube how to do it. It’s quite complicated but to computer geeks and mobile phone fanatics, nothing is impossible. It’s not against the law, so Apple and AT&T can’t do anything about it. Steve Jobs was quite mum about it and preferred not to say anything….until recently.
Steve Jobs was in recently in UK for the launch of iPhone. iPhone will be available November in UK and various parts of Europe. Each country will have a sole distributor – just like the AT&T’s iPhone in the US. In the launch of iPhone, Steve Jobs was not pleased at all with the hacks that have been going on in iPhone. He implied that the Apple is constantly trying to create innovations to “protect” the iPhone from the hackers. The cure will apparently be available when iPhone updates will be available. The updates will run in Wi-Fi and will give more security to the iPhones. Steve Jobs considers this as a “cat and mouse game.”
Although it may sound good that Apple is taking steps in getting things done for security sake, they are alienating the product from most of the users that can’t even access AT&T in their area. However, as what Steve Jobs indicated, there will always be hackers who will try to crack the iPhone. Apple may have very good software engineers to deal with this, but these engineers will be up against garage based tech freak to deal with iPhone day and night. What we can do is just wait for the update and the hack will be there just in time to save the day.
If you’ve read this article after June 29, 2007, you could already have seen or even owned an iPhone. Even so, let’s take a look at the things the iPhone can do. We’re not going to use the techy terms like HDPS, Quasi-band GSM or things like that. It’s going to be a practical guide on how it works and will make your life better.
The iPhone was introduced by Steve Jobs, the Apple CEO on January 29, 2007. Jobs introduced this mobile phone to the public during the annual Macworld Conference and Expo. This mobile phone promises to revolutionize the mobile phone world, and maybe it does. The iPhone can almost do anything, and this includes taking pictures, videos, listening to music, watching videos, and surfing and chatting on the net.
Keeping up with its tradition of offering large memory to its consumers, the Apple’s iPhone comes in two versions when it comes to memory: 4G and 8G. The downside of this is that it’s an internal flash memory and not a hard drive. If you’ve been in the MP3 world for a long time, you’ll probably recognize the vulnerability of flash based memory MP3 players compared to hard disk players. Flash memory is more prone to destruction because of power fluctuations and hard disks are basically more reliable when it comes to memory storage. Plus, if the flash memory goes down, everything could go with it. Hard disks can still be replaced with ease, just as with your computers.
Maybe the coolest feature of the iPhone is its interface. The iPhone literally no physical keypads. The keypad is in the interface and it’s a touch phone. Jobs has also simulated the phone against unwanted touches and the phone works perfectly in terms of protecting it from accidental touching. Its cool sliding interface makes it even better. If you’re looking at the pictures and flip it sideways, the iPhone will detect the action and also flip the picture.
The iPhone also works as an MP3 player judging from its memory capability. With 4G or 8G of memory, you can store even videos in the website. Because of this, the iPhone also comes with iTunes. There you’ll see the necessity of having an internet connection, and Apple answers that concern. Instead of using 3G or HDPS or any mumbled terms we’re not aware of, iPhone can easily connect to the Internet via WiFi which is nearly everywhere right now. Some see it as a disadvantage but most see it as a good thing to connect to the net. Now you can download all the movies and music you want in your iPhone using the Internet. On the other hand, Apple has also announced the release of an iPhone that can connect to 3G. Of course you can still update your phone using the phone dock to sync your files with your computer.
iPhone will definitely change the mobile phone world. It’s offer of an all in one usage makes other mobile phone companies like Nokia or Motorola scramble to offer something better.
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